Dean just smiled. He looked at Mitchell and saw his new friend looking at him in wonder. But Dean had just one question for him.
“Do I get to shift into a wolf, too?”
Chapter 24
Laurie looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror in their bathroom. She brushed her hair slowly, wanting to look perfect for the two men who waited for her in their bedroom. Lowering the hairbrush to the counter, she lightly passed her hand over the lavender negligee. She tried to look at herself objectively. She wasn’t a small woman, never had been, but her curves were proportionate. Her hips were full, her breasts on the large side. Men liked that, right? She looked at her face, turning her head first to one side and then the other. She could be considered attractive. Jace and Jackson certainly made her feel that way.
Even after all that they had been through, and all the ways they had reassured her that they loved and desired her just as she was, she couldn’t help but become overwhelmed with anxiety. Patrick’s intrusion in her life once again had that effect on her. He had methodically destroyed her confidence over the years. It didn’t matter how long they were divorced. His cruel words and actions still sent her into a tailspin of insecurity and despair.
Gently touching the bandage that covered her throat, she couldn’t help but wince at the pain. As she had sat on the steps of the back deck, both Jace and Jackson had licked the wound repeatedly, determined to help the healing process along, but she had been so caught up in the sensuality of feeling their tongues against her neck that she found herself clutching their arms and pulling them toward her. Doc Barrett had cleared his throat softly to remind them that they were surrounded by people, and she had blushed at the memory of everyone looking at her with knowing smiles. Finally, her men had given the doctor the space he needed to dress the wound.
Only when everyone was satisfied that she had been taken care of and her wound was not life threatening, did everyone stop hovering over her. Laurie was relieved when Officers Clayton Forest and Hunter Stewart arrived and took up their time and attention. She was relieved that they were already familiar with her ex from the fiasco at the mall, and she felt safe knowing that they were part of Jace’s pack.
Laurie was proud of her children as they spoke clearly and without fear to the officers. Patrick did not fare as well. He was shaking with fear as Alexander whispered something to him before he was lead away. Laurie had a feeling that Patrick wouldn’t be telling anyone about his wolf experience. She doubted he would confess to such insanity. No one would believe him anyway.
Jace had reminded her that Hunter and Clay would be sure to keep the details of the wolf shifters out of the incident report since the crime being committed was committed by a human. If the crime had been committed by a shifter, Jace, as ruling alpha, would have made a swift and fair judgment to protect the pack.
Once the officers had left with Patrick in custody, the kids had decided to forgo the movie, wanting to spend the night relaxing quietly in the living room instead. It seemed as if the entire pack had just needed to be together. It wasn’t long before there had been a constant stream of visitors as each pack member stopped by to show their concern and support. Laurie had been awed by their kindness and had nearly cried at the way every member had welcomed her children when they had arrived at the ranch, but now she was speechless as the pack showed her just how much they truly cared about her as well.
She had been especially glad to see Lucian and Cole come by. She had worried when she had found out that Patrick had caught Lucian by surprise and had knocked him out with one of the fireplace logs that had been stacked outside the visitors’ lodge. Thankfully, Luc had recovered quickly. She would always be amazed by the healing capabilities that the wolf shifters had. Luc had apologized profusely for allowing Patrick to get past him. He had stood before Jace utterly dejected, feeling totally responsible for putting Laurie and her children at risk.
Jace had put a stop to his apologies, insisting that Luc was not responsible for what had happened. Laurie was so proud of her mate. He was a good, fair, and caring leader of his pack. When she had seen the relief on Luc’s face as he had nodded and lowered his head, baring his throat in deference to Jace, she had to fight back the tears at the sense of respect, honor, and justice that was at the heart of this incredible group of people.
When she had seen Luc and Cole make their way over to her children and Mitchell, she had been relieved to see that the five of them seemed so at ease with each other. She also hadn’t missed the glances the two men had kept stealing at Mia.
Pulling herself back to the present, she took one more glance at her reflection in the mirror. She was surprised by the fact that she actually felt sexy in the negligee. Nikki and Julia had insisted that it fit her perfectly. The neckline of the soft lavender lace plunged to just below her breasts, molding itself to her, beautifully framing her breasts and giving just a hint of her nipples through the soft silk that covered them. The negligee fell to just above her knees and swirled out in a full skirt of decadent silk fabric that made her feel very feminine as it brushed against her thighs. Would Jace and Jackson like the way she looked in it?
Taking a calming breath, she pushed aside her fears and turned to exit the bathroom. She wanted to please her men. A giggle escaped her at the thought. How in the world had this happened? Her men? Really?
When she stepped out into the bedroom, she immediately froze. Both men were standing before her, rumbling growls emanating from deep within their chests. Their feelings of desire surrounded her immediately.
“Do you like it?” she asked hesitantly.
Both men quickly closed the distance that separated them from her. Jackson’s hand immediately covered her left breast, tenderly stroking her nipple through the nearly sheer material. She gasped at his contact, reaching up to hold onto his forearm, her hand squeezing tightly as the sensations of his touch fired through her body.
“Baby, you’re gorgeous,” he whispered, leaning in to kiss her neck, turning his head and biting down on her shoulder. Laving his tongue over the mating mark he had renewed there just the night before, he kissed it tenderly, filled with wonder that this amazing woman belonged to them.
Jace wrapped his arms around her waist, tenderly petting her hip as he leaned in to claim her lips. “I can’t get enough of you,” he finally whispered, pulling away from her mouth to look down at her. His eyes flashed golden for a brief moment, reminding Laurie that his wolf wanted her just as much as the man did.
Laurie smiled up at both men. “I’m glad, because I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you either,” she told them, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jackson stepped back and walked to their bed, leaning forward to turn the blankets down before turning back to Laurie. He held out his hand, and she stepped toward him immediately, reaching out to take his hand and allowing him to guide her to the bed.
“Climb in, sweetheart,” he told her gently. “You’ve had a tough day. Just lie back and rest and let us hold you.”
Laurie climbed in and sighed as the coolness of the sheets surrounded her. She watched with admiration as both men began to take off their clothes, revealing their tanned and muscular physiques. Seeing their bodies rippling with power as their muscles moved, she felt her pulse quicken. When they stripped off their jeans and climbed in on either side of her, resting against her, she allowed herself to finally relax after such a stressful day. With them beside her, holding her gently, feeling them caress her arms, her breasts, her face, she knew what it was to be truly cherished. She could feel her eyes closing as their warmth soothed her.
“Sleep, baby,” Jace’s voice whispered against her temple, kissing her lightly as he moved closer to her so that his entire body lay flush against hers.
“We’ll take care of you.” Jackson’s voice soothed her as he moved closer to her, needing to feel her against him.
They were both determined that she relax after all that had happened to her. They
had feared for her safety as well as Mia’s and Dean’s. And they also worried for the baby she was carrying. The stress and injury her mama had sustained could not have been good for their little one.
Before she realized it, Laurie had been lulled to sleep by her men’s deep voices and soothing touches. Jace smiled as he felt her body relax against them and heard her soft, even breathing.
We almost lost her today, Jackson.
Jackson nodded and leaned forward to kiss her cheek softly, careful not to disturb her. I know.
I would have lost my mind.
Me, too. Jackson’s voice broke as he thought of a future without her.
Jace couldn’t prevent the growl that escaped him as he held her tighter against his body.
We’ll have to tell the kids to move the surprise party for their mom to another day.
Jackson’s voice soothed Jace, allowing him to concentrate on the love the children had for Laurie.
They really are good kids, aren’t they? Jace’s voice was soft in Jackson’s head.
Jace smiled at the sight of his triad partner cuddled against Laurie and breathing in her scent as he nuzzled against her temple.
They are. We’re lucky, Jace. The Fates have gifted us with our mate, two children, and a cub on the way.
A beautiful vision of Laurie sitting on the floor in the living room, playing with their daughter, entered both of their minds. She was laughing and reaching out to hand the toddler to Jackson before leaning over to kiss him sweetly as he sat on the floor beside her. Jace saw himself sitting down beside them both, lovingly petting his daughter’s hair as he leaned in to kiss the top of their sweet child’s head.
“I have something to tell you both,” the Laurie in the vision told them, smiling as she reached down and took both their hands in hers. They looked at her silently, waiting. “I think I’m pregnant again. Do you mind?” She looked at them worriedly and waited for their answer.
“Sweetheart, we already knew,” vision Jace told her, leaning forward to kiss her lips gently. “Do you mind being pregnant again?”
Laurie smiled at them both, unable to stop the tears that filled her eyes. “I couldn’t be happier,” she told them, her voice soft. “I love every minute of having children with you.”
The vision ended as Laurie turned on her side to face Jackson, sighing heavily as she cuddled into his chest. Jackson looked at Jace in surprise.
That came from her, Jace.
Laurie’s hand reached back, searching for Jace. Finding his hip, she pulled him toward her until his body spooned hers. His hand settled around her to gently hold her around her waist. He had no words to express how much it meant to him that not only did Laurie want children with them, but she also envisioned the joy of raising a family with them.
“You’re going to be wonderful fathers,” Laurie’s voice whispered into the darkness of their room, unaware of the words that had escaped her as she slept.
Both men were silent as they held her.
Could life get any better than this?
Jackson’s voice spoke exactly what Jace was feeling.
Chapter 25
Laurie stretched as she fought to wake up. Reaching out, she found Jace’s side of the bed empty, and her brow furrowed in confusion. Turning slowly, she breathed a sigh of relief when she found Jackson still sleeping peacefully next to her. He lay on his back with one hand resting against his chest, and she smiled at the innocence of him as he slept. She knew he was certainly no innocent, and she couldn’t prevent the knowing, lustful smile that crossed her lips as she thought of the very thorough and very erotic lovemaking that they had shared.
She watched him quietly, reaching out to touch his hand gently, smiling at the instant acceptance of her touch as he held her hand lightly against his chest. She could feel the slow beat of his heart beneath her palm and lost herself in the feeling of peace and contentment that his presence gave her. Never in her life had she felt so cared for. The strength of both men in the way they immediately protected her made her heart fill with feelings she had never thought she would ever have in her life. She loved them with every bit of her heart. They belonged to her as much as she belonged to them.
Her feelings must have been transmitted to Jace because she could feel the instant love and warmth he sent to her. Are you near, Jace?
I’m in the office meeting with Doc Barrett. Do you need me?
I’ll always need you. Her response was instant and sincere, and she couldn’t prevent the feeling of instant desire she had to take Jace into her arms and hold him gently against her chest from rushing through their bond to him.
Jace’s growl of need echoed in her mind. You soothe me like no other, Mate.
Laurie smiled and enveloped him tighter within her arms, imagining rubbing her hands across his back soothingly, pushing every feeling of gentle caring she had for him through their bond.
Thank you, Laurie.
Get back to your meeting. I’ll see you when you’re through.
When Jackson wakes up, tell him to get his lazy ass down here to see Doc. He still has to have a sample of his blood taken.
Okay. But you’re going to have to wait until I love him a little first.
Jace’s chuckle made her heart light. Okay, baby. I’ll send Doc to his office, so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy yourselves. Jackson can go to him this afternoon instead. I’ll be up later to give you some loving.
I’ll hold you to that.
Laurie felt his warmth surround her one last time before his presence left her mind. She was glad that she could still sense him on the outer edges of her awareness. She hoped it would always be that way. Knowing that both men would always be a part of her every waking minute settled her in a way she couldn’t put into words. How do you explain the feeling of total love and caring or how it makes you feel to finally mean something special and important to someone?
Turning her attention to the gorgeous man who slept beside her, she leaned closer toward him and kissed his shoulder lightly. When he didn’t move, she decided to be bolder, leaning forward to kiss his chest, moving to his nipple and laving it with her tongue and sucking on it lightly.
She smiled against him as she heard him groan. Pulling her hand from his, she slid down his body, pushing down the sheet and blanket as she went, revealing the chiseled physique of his stomach and the beauty of his cock. It lay half hard against his thigh, and she decided it was about time to do some serious worshiping of that glorious member.
Breathing in deeply, his scent filled her, and desire spiked through her. Leaning forward, she opened her mouth and licked up the length of him, paying close attention to tracing the prominent veins that ran up the underside of his quickly thickening cock. Reaching the head, she swirled her tongue around the underside of the mushroom cap and hummed with pleasure at the sound of his responding moan of approval.
“Baby, that’s so good,” he whispered, carding his fingers through her hair and holding her gently against him.
She saw the drop of moisture that was leaking from the slit and reached her tongue out to lap up his essence before pressing against the opening and flicking her tongue to quickly capture it, moaning her approval at the taste of him. Opening her mouth, she took him deep, sensuously running her tongue along his shaft as she pulled back, sucking with a strength that made him gasp with pleasure. Jackson’s growl of approval made her smile. Pushing back down, she opened her throat as best she could and swallowed him to the root, holding herself against his groin and rubbing her nose into the dark curls there as she reached up and tenderly took his heavy sac in hand and caressed it with utmost care. She once again pulled back, sucking and flicking her tongue across the tip as she nearly released him, only to suck him back into her mouth and begin the decadent descent down his length once again.
Jackson held her head gently, both hands gripping her and sinking into the softness of her hair as he guided her toward him, carefully lifting his hips to thrust shallowly
into the heaven that was her mouth. She leaned forward to take all of his length inside her mouth, wanting to give him mind-numbing pleasure. His groan of approval made her smile at her success. She loved making him lose control. And that’s exactly what was happening.
She could feel the strength of his body as he pumped up into her mouth, keeping her head still as he reached up to plunge in deep over and over again. She wanted him to lose himself to the ecstasy of the moment. She wanted him to shout out as he found his completion. She wanted to drink down every drop of his seed. She needed the intensity of the way she felt about him to be the way he felt about her. Her heart pounded, and she could feel the moisture dripping down the inside of her legs as her desire for him filled her to overflowing.
Suddenly, Jackson sat up, dislodging himself from her mouth and reaching down to grab her under her arms to pull her up until her face was directly in front of his. His eyes were glowing golden, and his teeth had elongated.
“I need to be inside of you. Now.”
His voice was hoarse with desire. He pulled the negligee from her body and threw it to the floor, a moan escaping him as he felt her breasts against his chest. Turning his body, he flipped her as if she weighed no more than a piece of paper, until she was settled below him and his hips found their place in the cradle of her pelvis. Laurie couldn’t prevent the sigh that escaped her as his body settled so comfortably and intimately against hers. She could feel the head of his cock nudging her waiting channel, and she opened her legs wider to accommodate him.
“Are you wet for me, baby?” he whispered, leaning back to look down at her as he spread her already swollen folds gently, growling when he saw the glistening proof of her arousal. Running his finger through the warm wetness that awaited him, he smiled at the whimper that left her as he pushed one finger inside her gently, quickly adding another as he felt her open to him, and tenderly stroked in and out of her. “So wet,” he whispered. “So ready for me.”
Bernard, Lynnette - Laurie's Loves [Beckett's Wolf Pack, Triad Mates] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) Page 29